Charles News

Police Investigating Motorcycle Crash in St. Mary’s County That Killed 19-Year-Old Mechanicsville Man

Police Investigating Motorcycle Crash in St. Mary’s County That Killed 19-Year-Old Mechanicsville Man

UPDATE 6/16/2023: A 19-year-old man was killed in a motor vehicle collision on Friday, June 16,2023, as the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office continues the investigation. On Friday, June 16, 2023, at 9:43 am, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a pickup...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Assistance in Cold Case Murder of Unidentified Woman Found in 1998

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Assistance in Cold Case Murder of Unidentified Woman Found in 1998

Can you help solve this mystery? Detectives seek new leads in cold case. Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking assistance identifying a woman whose body was found 25-years-ago, on June 16, 1998, in a field near Irving Road and Route 301 in Bel Alton, MD. The woman, whose identity remains a mystery, was the...
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Two Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, Fire Deemed Accidental Due to Overloaded Power Strip

Two Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, Fire Deemed Accidental Due to Overloaded Power Strip

UPDATE: Owner/Occupants identified as William & Carol McCowan, with the estimated loss of structure and contents valued at $150,000.00 Investigating determined the fire was accidental, and caused by an overloaded power strip which started on the covered rear porch. The fire was discovered by an occupant and all escaped with no injuries. Firefighters arrived...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Graduates 15th Executive Program Class

Leadership Southern Maryland Graduates 15th Executive Program Class

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program graduated its fifteenth class on May 18 at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, Md. The 29-member cohort of Southern Maryland executives completed a nine-month community leadership development program of monthly full-day discussions of regional issues. The group studied economic and workforce development, defense, education, healthcare, housing...
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Firefighters Respond to Early Morning House Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Remains Under Investigation

Firefighters Respond to Early Morning House Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Remains Under Investigation

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at approximately 12:40 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Dentsville, and Benedict Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the 29000 block of Arlington Court in Mechanicsville, for the reported house on fire. Dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls reporting the house was on fire, with the homeowner...
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Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member William ‘Billy’ Harris

Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member William ‘Billy’ Harris

The Waldorf VFD regrets to announce the passing of life member William ‘Billy’ Harris on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Billy dedicated over 15 years to the Waldorf VFD and retired from the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department with 25 years of service. Services and obituary information will be provided when it becomes...
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Waldorf Military Vet Sees $100,000 Lottery Win as Chance to Help Others

Waldorf Military Vet Sees $100,000 Lottery Win as Chance to Help Others

Things are looking up for a Maryland Lottery player from Waldorf who claimed a $100,000 scratch-off prize last week. “To me, this win is a miracle,” the combat veteran said while sitting in the Winner’s Circle at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. “It doesn’t matter how people treat you, if you’re going to win, you’re...
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UPDATE: Maryland State Police Continue Investigation Into Fatal Single Vehicle Rollover in Charles County

UPDATE: Maryland State Police Continue Investigation Into Fatal Single Vehicle Rollover in Charles County

UPDATE: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash this morning in Charles County that claimed one life and sent two others to the hospital. The deceased, whose identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification, was a passenger in a Dodge Durango involved in the crash. They were pronounced deceased on the...
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Off-duty Firefighter Saves Man from Burning Vehicle After Crash in Welcome, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

Off-duty Firefighter Saves Man from Burning Vehicle After Crash in Welcome, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

On Saturday, June 10, 2023, at approximately 4:50 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Port Tobacco Road and Hilltop Road in Welcome, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious with a vehicle on fire with entrapment. While crews responded to the scene, an off-duty volunteer firefighter called in reporting...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Victim Shot During Armed Robbery in Waldorf

UPDATE: Police Investigating Victim Shot During Armed Robbery in Waldorf

UPDATE 6/12/2023: On June 11 at 7:30 p.m., officers responded to the 3000 block of October Place in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located a man with gunshot wounds; he was transported to a hospital in serious condition. A preliminary investigation revealed the man was in the parking...
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NOISE ADVISORY: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Conducting Range Testing June 12th to 16th

NOISE ADVISORY: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Conducting Range Testing June 12th to 16th

Noise Advisory: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division will conduct daily range testing June 12-16 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Testing has potential to produce VERY LOUD NOISE in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone (MDZ), as described in 33 CFR 334.230, will be restricted during testing....
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Advises of Scam Callers Spoofing Sheriff’s Office Phone Number

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Advises of Scam Callers Spoofing Sheriff’s Office Phone Number

“We received a few reports regarding jury duty, which were scams. The number the scammer was calling from was “spoofed” and looks like it’s coming from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number. IT IS NOT! Here’s how scammers try to make it work: Most jury duty scams start with a phone call where...
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Owner of Funeral Service Company Arrested After Shooting Two People During Funeral of 10-Year-Old

Owner of Funeral Service Company Arrested After Shooting Two People During Funeral of 10-Year-Old

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged the man who shot two people at a Suitland cemetery, killing one of the victims. The suspect is 48-year-old Wilson Chavis of Hughesville, MD. He’s charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Ronald Steven Banks of Washington, DC. Banks was a pallbearer at...
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Maryland Department of The Environment Issues a Code RED Air Quality Alert for Maryland Counties

Maryland Department of The Environment Issues a Code RED Air Quality Alert for Maryland Counties

The Maryland Dept. Of The Environment has issued a Code RED Air Quality Alert today for the Baltimore, Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Southern Maryland regions. Air pollution is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, seniors, and people suffering from respiratory or heart conditions An Air Quality Alert has been issued for our area....
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UPDATE: State Fire Marshal and Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Double Fatal Fire in Huntingtown

UPDATE: State Fire Marshal and Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Double Fatal Fire in Huntingtown

UPDATE 6/7/2023: A team of investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office continue investigating the origin and cause of a house fire that claimed two lives in Huntingtown overnight. Just after 3:00 a.m., Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding fire departments responded to the 1600 block...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Announces Passing of Retired Corporal Nolan B. Woodland

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Announces Passing of Retired Corporal Nolan B. Woodland

It is with deep sorrow Sheriff Troy Berry and the men and women of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office announce the passing of retired Corporal Nolan B. Woodland on Friday, June 2, 2023. Corporal Woodland was a sworn officer with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 21 years (November 1976–August 1997). He served...
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Longtime Bomb Tech and Hero Dog Handler Nominated For Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year

Longtime Bomb Tech and Hero Dog Handler Nominated For Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year

Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Michael Redding has been selected as the Bomb Squad nominee for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year. He will join other investigators chosen throughout the state for the 2022 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award during the Maryland State Fireman’s Convention in Ocean...
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Maryland Department of Commerce Announces Applications Open for Cannabis Business Assistance Fund

Maryland Department of Commerce Announces Applications Open for Cannabis Business Assistance Fund

The Maryland Department of Commerce today announced that applications are now open for the first round of funding available through the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. The fund, which will offer both grants and loans, will help increase small business and entrepreneur capacity to participate in Maryland’s adult-use cannabis industry. “The Cannabis Business Assistance Fund...
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Wednesday, June 7, 2023: Traffic Delays Expected on Rt.301 Bridge for Dismantling of Old Bridge

Wednesday, June 7, 2023: Traffic Delays Expected on Rt.301 Bridge for Dismantling of Old Bridge

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., additional dismantling of the old Nice Middleton Bridge/Rt 301 will take place. This will require closure of the new Nice Middleton replacement bridge for approximately 15 – 30 minutes. The closure may cause traffic delays along Rt. 301 north and south of the bridge. Please plan...
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Potomac Heights VFD&RS Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member James “Willie” Williams

Potomac Heights VFD&RS Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member James “Willie” Williams

Funeral Arrangements for Potomac Heights VFD&RS Life Member, James “Willie” Williams. The family will receive friends at Potomac Heights VFD&RS (73 Glymont Road, Indian Head, MD) on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 2-4 PM and again at 6PM with Firemen’s Prayers beginning at 7PM. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held...
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3 Transported to Hospital and 1 Transported to Trauma Center After Deck Collapses During Graduation Party in Waldorf

3 Transported to Hospital and 1 Transported to Trauma Center After Deck Collapses During Graduation Party in Waldorf

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, at approximately 4:23 p.m., fire and rescue personnel responded to the 12000 block of Wendy Lane in Waldorf, for the reported building collapse with entrapment. The 911 caller reported the deck collapsed during a graduation party with six victims possibly trapped with the victims ranging from children to elderly....
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U.S. Marshals Led Operation Washout in Maryland to Target Violent Criminals

U.S. Marshals Led Operation Washout in Maryland to Target Violent Criminals

The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, District of Maryland, and task force partners conducted a large-scale, multi-agency law enforcement operation focused on apprehending violent fugitives and wanted gang members throughout the month of May, arresting dozens of violent offenders throughout Maryland. Operation Washout – Maryland resulted in a total of...
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Annual Horseshoe Crab Migration Returning to Maryland

Annual Horseshoe Crab Migration Returning to Maryland

The annual spawning migration of horseshoe crabs – Limulus polyphemus – is now returning to Maryland beaches, providing an opportunity to view one of nature’s oldest wildlife phenomena and participate in citizen science. The migration usually takes place from May through July, and its peak culminates with high tides on or around each full...
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Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Set New Harvest Record

Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Set New Harvest Record

Maryland hunters harvested 5,356 wild turkeys during the 2023 spring regular and junior turkey seasons, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported. This year’s harvest was 27% higher than the 2022 harvest and surpassed the previous record harvest of 4,303, set in 2020. “A combination of high turkey populations, good weather, and additional hunting...
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Waldorf Man Uses Lucky Number to Win $50,000 on Pick 5

Waldorf Man Uses Lucky Number to Win $50,000 on Pick 5

Charles County man played after portion of number was drawn days earlier A Waldorf player who believes in trends said he followed a pattern to win $50,000 in the May 26 Pick 5 midday drawing. The 50-year-old said he has a list of numbers that he likes to play. That includes birthdays, license plates...
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